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[Eustachian tube dysfunction: differential diagnosis]
1Rostov State Medical University, Rostov-on-Don, Russia.
Abstract:
According to the first international consensus on definition, types, clinical presentation and diagnosis for Eustachian tube dysfunction, the term Eustachian tube dysfunction refers only to adults and denotes symptoms associated with pressure dysregulation in the middle ear.
Objective:
To analyze types and clinical symptoms of Eustachian tube dysfunction in aspect of differential diagnosis with other disorders presenting with similar symptoms.
Material And Methods:
A bibliographic search in the RSCI, PubMed, ScienceDirect databases using the following keywords: auditory tube dysfunction, patulous auditory tube, ear congestion, autophony, tinnitus has been conducted.
Results:
In patients with ear congestion, autophony, popping noise, crackling, it is necessary to conduct a differential diagnosis between the types of Eustachian tube dysfunction (dilatory Eustachian tube dysfunction, baro-challenge-induced Eustachian tube dysfunction or patulous auditory tube). Other causes of similar symptoms (Minor's syndrome, cochlear hydrops, temporomandibular joint dysfunction) should be considered.
Conclusion:
Eustachian tube dysfunction is a violation of the regulation of pressure in the tympanic cavity, and may also be a mechanism of middle ear disease.
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